I seem to recall we had some rain and a 5 minute hail shower, but that was it. Now, if that caused the candidates to 'struggle' I can only say that I hope we don't get some really bad winter weather or we might not see Mrs Phillips again.

Sorry, was the weather that bad yesterday?
I seem to recall we had some rain and a 5 minute hail shower, but that was it. Now, if that caused the candidates to 'struggle' I can only say that I hope we don't get some really bad winter weather or we might not see Mrs Phillips again.Leighdweller

RochfordRob wrote:
149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit'

Amazing.

No dumber than voting for Tories on auto-pilot as many of the blue rinse brigade do around here..how else can you explain the ultimate wast of space MP - David Amess

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit'
Amazing.[/p][/quote]No dumber than voting for Tories on auto-pilot as many of the blue rinse brigade do around here..how else can you explain the ultimate wast of space MP - David Amessandy:)

RochfordRob wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.

No dumber than voting for Tories on auto-pilot as many of the blue rinse brigade do around here..how else can you explain the ultimate wast of space MP - David Amess

Oh dear, apart from you, who mentioned Tories?

Sore loser eh?

Never mind. Dry yer eyes.

[quote][p][bold]andy:)[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.[/p][/quote]No dumber than voting for Tories on auto-pilot as many of the blue rinse brigade do around here..how else can you explain the ultimate wast of space MP - David Amess[/p][/quote]Oh dear, apart from you, who mentioned Tories?
Sore loser eh?
Never mind. Dry yer eyes.RochfordRob

RochfordRob wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.

As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...

Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?

Never mind.

[quote][p][bold]DannyK86[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.[/p][/quote]As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...[/p][/quote]Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?
Never mind.RochfordRob

What this country needs is an agreement between the Conservatives and UKIP to either join together as a coalition or to stand aside where one has the best chance of winning in a constituency.

What would be a disaster would be for a Labour government in 2015 hell-bent on mass-immigration, mass house-building, and mass benefit expansion.

We saw so much of what Labour stands for under the millionaire Mr. Tony Blair - do we really want to go back to that?

And - everyone - do all you can to support Scottish independence - a "Yes" vote should pretty well guarantee that Labour are out for good once all their Westminster MPs are sent packing.

What this country needs is an agreement between the Conservatives and UKIP to either join together as a coalition or to stand aside where one has the best chance of winning in a constituency.
What would be a disaster would be for a Labour government in 2015 hell-bent on mass-immigration, mass house-building, and mass benefit expansion.
We saw so much of what Labour stands for under the millionaire Mr. Tony Blair - do we really want to go back to that?
And - everyone - do all you can to support Scottish independence - a "Yes" vote should pretty well guarantee that Labour are out for good once all their Westminster MPs are sent packing.Sensible Man

RochfordRob wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.

As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...

Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?

Never mind.

Not my ward, numbnuts. Just pointing out the 'swivel-eyed loons' ;)

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]DannyK86[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.[/p][/quote]As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...[/p][/quote]Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?
Never mind.[/p][/quote]Not my ward, numbnuts. Just pointing out the 'swivel-eyed loons' ;)DannyK86

Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.Little John

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Ah. Forgot the Labour lady

LAB 149

[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Ah. Forgot the Labour lady
LAB 149Little John

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!

The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!

[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!
The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!Sensible Man

onegreatjohnny wrote:
Then again, there's always Lab Lib pacts and coalition government is, when all's said and done now, here to stay.

http://an-essex-man-

of-letters.blogspot.

com/2012/12/doing-do

uble.html?spref=tw … http://an-essex-man-

of-letters.blogspot.

com/2012/12/doing-do

uble.html?spref=tw …

But UKIP in government ... be sensible man.

Agreed..everytime a UKIP guy opens his mouth, utter drivel comes out.

People are fools if they think that leaving Europe and booting out foreign workers is a magic cure to all our problems.

[quote][p][bold]onegreatjohnny[/bold] wrote:
Then again, there's always Lab Lib pacts and coalition government is, when all's said and done now, here to stay.
http://an-essex-man-
of-letters.blogspot.
com/2012/12/doing-do
uble.html?spref=tw … http://an-essex-man-
of-letters.blogspot.
com/2012/12/doing-do
uble.html?spref=tw …
But UKIP in government ... be sensible man.[/p][/quote]Agreed..everytime a UKIP guy opens his mouth, utter drivel comes out.
People are fools if they think that leaving Europe and booting out foreign workers is a magic cure to all our problems.andy:)

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!

The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!

It's about time voting was compulsory.

[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!
The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!![/p][/quote]It's about time voting was compulsory.Nebs

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!

The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!

It's about time voting was compulsory.

True, but most Labour types would have problems spelling 'X'

[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!
The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!![/p][/quote]It's about time voting was compulsory.[/p][/quote]True, but most Labour types would have problems spelling 'X'RochfordRob

Margaret McDermott was shaken to learn that the Conservative Party has held power for 54 years this century to Labour's 17. (Letters Oct 4th)

But the Tories have dominated the political scene for centuries and their outdated, dogmatic philosophy now seems positively indecent for a civilised society soon to enter the 21st century.

The Labour Party - pacts and war-coalitions apart - has held power for less time in its history than the present government will have held it by the time of the next election. And that only since 1945, just half a century after its formation!

Is it not a sobering thought that in that short time Labour governments gave the people of this nation of ours - one of the wealthiest in the world after all - national transport, fuel, water and health services. What of them now?

Labour gave us a decent, enlightened house-building programme. What is this government doing?

It gave us access to the countryside and national parks, legal aid and proper old-age pensions, to name but a few of its principled policies.

And would you believe that the Labour Party gave us one-man-one-vote by abolishing double votes for businessmen and university graduates a mere 46 years ago.

How's that for a modern democracy? Mind-boggling isn't it??

You shouldn't just be shaken Mrs.McDermott, you should be stirred. Stirred enough to ensure that this government is the swan-song of a bunch of incompetent ancient dogmatists who fully deserve to be voted into oblivion and the mists of history at the earliest opportunity.

JOHN HARAN
Leigh

8th of October 1994 - Published in the Echo in full.

Labour types?
Do you have a political dream that is, in reality, a fantasy?
STIRRED NOT SHAKEN
Margaret McDermott was shaken to learn that the Conservative Party has held power for 54 years this century to Labour's 17. (Letters Oct 4th)
But the Tories have dominated the political scene for centuries and their outdated, dogmatic philosophy now seems positively indecent for a civilised society soon to enter the 21st century.
The Labour Party - pacts and war-coalitions apart - has held power for less time in its history than the present government will have held it by the time of the next election. And that only since 1945, just half a century after its formation!
Is it not a sobering thought that in that short time Labour governments gave the people of this nation of ours - one of the wealthiest in the world after all - national transport, fuel, water and health services. What of them now?
Labour gave us a decent, enlightened house-building programme. What is this government doing?
It gave us access to the countryside and national parks, legal aid and proper old-age pensions, to name but a few of its principled policies.
And would you believe that the Labour Party gave us one-man-one-vote by abolishing double votes for businessmen and university graduates a mere 46 years ago.
How's that for a modern democracy? Mind-boggling isn't it??
You shouldn't just be shaken Mrs.McDermott, you should be stirred. Stirred enough to ensure that this government is the swan-song of a bunch of incompetent ancient dogmatists who fully deserve to be voted into oblivion and the mists of history at the earliest opportunity.
JOHN HARAN
Leigh
8th of October 1994 - Published in the Echo in full.onegreatjohnny

Yes, good old Labour. Bankrupted the country and handed the mess to someone else every time they left office.

Who said:

I saved the world
No more boom & bust (well boom anyway)
Sorry, there's no money left
Education, education, education
Tough on crime tough on the causes of crime
Endogenous growth theory

Etc etc etc.

Then signed the Lisbon treaty in the dead of night
opened the immigration floodgates
Iran
Iraq
Afghanistan

Their list of incompetence is endless.

Yes, good old Labour. Bankrupted the country and handed the mess to someone else every time they left office.
Who said:
I saved the world
No more boom & bust (well boom anyway)
Sorry, there's no money left
Education, education, education
Tough on crime tough on the causes of crime
Endogenous growth theory
Etc etc etc.
Then signed the Lisbon treaty in the dead of night
opened the immigration floodgates
Iran
Iraq
Afghanistan
Their list of incompetence is endless.RochfordRob

In the first place, the country is not bankrupt ... GB PLC carries debt just like any business must do in order to finance its endeavours - not to mention the vast majority of its people ditto.

In fact, the national debt has risen under this government's obsession with the yearly deficit to its cost - unemployment being, as ever, the Tory price worth paying. Not to mention low paid jobs that cannot sustain a decent existence without benefits in one of the wealthiest nations in the world still.

Might as well go howl at the moon if you don't like the monetary system we all labour under.

Moreover, Labour's commitment to social justice and a more equitable society are second to none and people should check out the form book before betting their vote.

Then there's military interventionism that goes wrong with the best of intentions ... but hey, there was also Kosova, Bosnia and Sierra Leone that were all successful.

As for the EU ... we've been successful members of this enlightened endeavour to unite the most war-torn continent on the face of the planet after WWII for forty years.

It would have been over half-a-century if we weren't kept out for 13 previous years by the French who thought we would not be enthusiastic members.

Doubtless we should have been in from the start to shape it more our way.

But no political party worth its salt would leave now.

Get over it.

In the first place, the country is not bankrupt ... GB PLC carries debt just like any business must do in order to finance its endeavours - not to mention the vast majority of its people ditto.
In fact, the national debt has risen under this government's obsession with the yearly deficit to its cost - unemployment being, as ever, the Tory price worth paying. Not to mention low paid jobs that cannot sustain a decent existence without benefits in one of the wealthiest nations in the world still.
Might as well go howl at the moon if you don't like the monetary system we all labour under.
Moreover, Labour's commitment to social justice and a more equitable society are second to none and people should check out the form book before betting their vote.
Then there's military interventionism that goes wrong with the best of intentions ... but hey, there was also Kosova, Bosnia and Sierra Leone that were all successful.
As for the EU ... we've been successful members of this enlightened endeavour to unite the most war-torn continent on the face of the planet after WWII for forty years.
It would have been over half-a-century if we weren't kept out for 13 previous years by the French who thought we would not be enthusiastic members.
Doubtless we should have been in from the start to shape it more our way.
But no political party worth its salt would leave now.
Get over it.onegreatjohnny

RochfordRob wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.

As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...

Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?

Never mind.

Did you vote in this?

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]DannyK86[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote: 149 morons still voted for a donkey wearing a red rosette 'cos me dad did and so did me grandad innit' Amazing.[/p][/quote]As did 418 morons who believe everything the Daily Mail tells 'em...[/p][/quote]Aw diddums, was it too wet for you to get off the settee and vote for your loser too?
Never mind.[/p][/quote]Did you vote in this?ThisYear

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!

The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!

It's about time voting was compulsory.

That is the most thumbs down vote I have ever seen on these boards..lol.

Time for a re-think Nebs.

[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!
The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!![/p][/quote]It's about time voting was compulsory.[/p][/quote]That is the most thumbs down vote I have ever seen on these boards..lol.
Time for a re-think Nebs.ThisYear

RochfordRob wrote:
Yes, good old Labour. Bankrupted the country and handed the mess to someone else every time they left office.

Who said:

I saved the world
No more boom &amp; bust (well boom anyway)
Sorry, there's no money left
Education, education, education
Tough on crime tough on the causes of crime
Endogenous growth theory

Etc etc etc.

Then signed the Lisbon treaty in the dead of night
opened the immigration floodgates
Iran
Iraq
Afghanistan

Their list of incompetence is endless.

Hey Bob...your slip is showing..

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
Yes, good old Labour. Bankrupted the country and handed the mess to someone else every time they left office.
Who said:
I saved the world
No more boom & bust (well boom anyway)
Sorry, there's no money left
Education, education, education
Tough on crime tough on the causes of crime
Endogenous growth theory
Etc etc etc.
Then signed the Lisbon treaty in the dead of night
opened the immigration floodgates
Iran
Iraq
Afghanistan
Their list of incompetence is endless.[/p][/quote]Hey Bob...your slip is showing..ThisYear

Little John wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.

Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418

Juss saying.

The May election could be an interesting battle.

Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!

The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!!

It's about time voting was compulsory.

That is the most thumbs down vote I have ever seen on these boards..lol.

Time for a re-think Nebs.

Not at all - it demonstrates that Labours' core vote don't like being disturbed from the comfort of their flat screens, the bookies or the pub.

It's a bit like making work compulsory - they wouldn't like that either.

Hence the high score - all done from the comfort of a state sponsored settee.

[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Nebs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote:
Whatever your political alliance's are the thing that stands out to me is out of the 26% that bothered voting, which is an appalling figure, the majority didn't want the Conservative candidate to win.
Con 743
Lib 688
UKIP 418
Juss saying.
The May election could be an interesting battle.[/p][/quote]Of course what is equally obvious - given that she got the most votes - is that EVEN MORE people did not want any of the other parties to win!!!
The way forward is for a centre-right UKIP / Conservative coalition and independence for Scotland. LABOUR GONE FOREVER!! YIPPEE!!!![/p][/quote]It's about time voting was compulsory.[/p][/quote]That is the most thumbs down vote I have ever seen on these boards..lol.
Time for a re-think Nebs.[/p][/quote]Not at all - it demonstrates that Labours' core vote don't like being disturbed from the comfort of their flat screens, the bookies or the pub.
It's a bit like making work compulsory - they wouldn't like that either.
Hence the high score - all done from the comfort of a state sponsored settee.RochfordRob

Why is that not a surprise? Make sure to keep them personal details a secret, the taxman could be watching.

[quote][p][bold]ThisYear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]profondo asbo[/bold] wrote: 2 words for anyone dumb enough to vote liberal - lard rennard. 2 words for anyone dumb enough to vote labour - ed milliballs.[/p][/quote]Two words for those who are getting wise..Dont Vote.[/p][/quote]Why is that not a surprise? Make sure to keep them personal details a secret, the taxman could be watching.Alekhine

gary 51 wrote:
Put a blue rosette on a donkey in Southend and they will vote for it.

I have no real political allegiance but are you saying that people would rather vote for a donkey than vote labour. You could be right I suppose.

[quote][p][bold]gary 51[/bold] wrote:
Put a blue rosette on a donkey in Southend and they will vote for it.[/p][/quote]I have no real political allegiance but are you saying that people would rather vote for a donkey than vote labour. You could be right I suppose.openspace

If Richard Wiggins is irritated by the spectacle of David Amess perched on the two stools of Basildon and Southend West, he'll doubtless be interested to know that Mr. Amess has already bought a house in his newly-beloved constituency before any election has taken place.

Hardly false confidence when you consider that Paul Channon has held the seat for nigh-on the past thirty years and his father 'Chips' Channon thirty more before him.

Indeed, as Guinness family heirs it lead, over time I understand, to the constituency being known as Guinness-on-Sea in certain political quarters.

Indeed, it would take a seismic shift in electoral attitudes for Mr. Amess' amorous overtures to be thwarted hereabouts and a tactical vote - at its best the combined Labour and Liberal Democrat vote is less than four-fifiths of the Conservative turn-out - of heroic proportions for the old order to crack up.

Possibly, sadly, too tall an order for some 'political purists' to contemplate but that is certainly what it will tactically require.

Otherwise our new man's seat is as safe as houses ... as ever.

JOHN HARAN
Leigh.
12th of March 1997 - Edited.

If Richard Wiggins is irritated by the spectacle of David Amess perched on the two stools of Basildon and Southend West, he'll doubtless be interested to know that Mr. Amess has already bought a house in his newly-beloved constituency before any election has taken place.
Hardly false confidence when you consider that Paul Channon has held the seat for nigh-on the past thirty years and his father 'Chips' Channon thirty more before him.
Indeed, as Guinness family heirs it lead, over time I understand, to the constituency being known as Guinness-on-Sea in certain political quarters.
Indeed, it would take a seismic shift in electoral attitudes for Mr. Amess' amorous overtures to be thwarted hereabouts and a tactical vote - at its best the combined Labour and Liberal Democrat vote is less than four-fifiths of the Conservative turn-out - of heroic proportions for the old order to crack up.
Possibly, sadly, too tall an order for some 'political purists' to contemplate but that is certainly what it will tactically require.
Otherwise our new man's seat is as safe as houses ... as ever.
JOHN HARAN
Leigh.
12th of March 1997 - Edited.onegreatjohnny

David Amess MP is leaving his beloved Basildon, before he gets chucked out, and standing as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West in the looming General Election and who can blame him?

Who can blame him because Paul Channon is vacating a seat that has been held in his family on behalf of the Conservative Party for the past 61 years - since 1935 in fact, with three other members of his world renowned Guinness family prior incumbents - and the political barometer of the land, Basildon, is indicating change no question?

Moreover, Southend West is a constituency that has never had anything but a Tory MP in its entire history, and whatever you think of Mr. Amess' desertion one way, his survival instinct the other cannot be faulted.

Most Tories out this way are thoroughly decent folk, I know, but even the best of them are still blinkered in the way that only Tories can be blinkered and, as far as I can ascertain, they are not even particularly 'political' people - more 'clubbable' than anything I would say.

And it is this very 'clubability' that makes this the sort of constituency that would elect the fabled 'Pig's Bladder on a Stick' if it wore a blue rosette.

This is in no way to disrespect Paul Channon, whose own unstated style and largely unnoticed efforts - particularly where Northern Ireland and allowing his Chelsea, Cheyne Walk home to be used for, albeit abortive, peace talks with the IRA in 1972 is concerned - is diametrically opposed to the 'in yer face' approach of his heir apparent.

Whether this upfront 'in yer face' young blood - to the retiring 'behind the scenes' political heavyweight - will prove to be what Southend West Conservatives really want when they get him - as they undoubtedly will unless there is some nifty tactical oppositional manoeuvring - remains to be seen.

No matter, but it moved Jack Gardiner to describe David Amess' contribution to your 'Political Viewpoint' as " ... plunging political comment to a level which can generously be described as pathetic drivel!"
(Southend on Sunday Nov 10th)

And it's hard to disagree with this assessment when comparing the following week's contribution from Mr. Amess' main challenger in the constituency - Nina Stimson, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West - a mature, thoughtful, caring piece on the NHS.

More pertinent by far, in my opinion, than David Amess' gushing guff and obsequious fawning over a system of state-sponsored filial favouritism standing, Darwinian-like, at the pinnacle of political evolution making us, he says, the envy of foreigners.

And this in a 20th century European democracy on the verge of the 21st!

JOHN HARAN
Leigh.
12th of November 1996 - Not published.

David Amess MP is leaving his beloved Basildon, before he gets chucked out, and standing as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West in the looming General Election and who can blame him?
Who can blame him because Paul Channon is vacating a seat that has been held in his family on behalf of the Conservative Party for the past 61 years - since 1935 in fact, with three other members of his world renowned Guinness family prior incumbents - and the political barometer of the land, Basildon, is indicating change no question?
Moreover, Southend West is a constituency that has never had anything but a Tory MP in its entire history, and whatever you think of Mr. Amess' desertion one way, his survival instinct the other cannot be faulted.
Most Tories out this way are thoroughly decent folk, I know, but even the best of them are still blinkered in the way that only Tories can be blinkered and, as far as I can ascertain, they are not even particularly 'political' people - more 'clubbable' than anything I would say.
And it is this very 'clubability' that makes this the sort of constituency that would elect the fabled 'Pig's Bladder on a Stick' if it wore a blue rosette.
This is in no way to disrespect Paul Channon, whose own unstated style and largely unnoticed efforts - particularly where Northern Ireland and allowing his Chelsea, Cheyne Walk home to be used for, albeit abortive, peace talks with the IRA in 1972 is concerned - is diametrically opposed to the 'in yer face' approach of his heir apparent.
Whether this upfront 'in yer face' young blood - to the retiring 'behind the scenes' political heavyweight - will prove to be what Southend West Conservatives really want when they get him - as they undoubtedly will unless there is some nifty tactical oppositional manoeuvring - remains to be seen.
No matter, but it moved Jack Gardiner to describe David Amess' contribution to your 'Political Viewpoint' as " ... plunging political comment to a level which can generously be described as pathetic drivel!"
(Southend on Sunday Nov 10th)
And it's hard to disagree with this assessment when comparing the following week's contribution from Mr. Amess' main challenger in the constituency - Nina Stimson, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West - a mature, thoughtful, caring piece on the NHS.
More pertinent by far, in my opinion, than David Amess' gushing guff and obsequious fawning over a system of state-sponsored filial favouritism standing, Darwinian-like, at the pinnacle of political evolution making us, he says, the envy of foreigners.
And this in a 20th century European democracy on the verge of the 21st!
JOHN HARAN
Leigh.
12th of November 1996 - Not published.onegreatjohnny

rhowes wrote:
A sad day for the town, but a good result for the Lib Dems, only 55 behind.

Thank God we have another chance to oust the Tories on May 22nd!

LibDumbs?

Like Cleggy and Mike Hancock ?

Solids are just hitting the fan on that issue.

[quote][p][bold]rhowes[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for the town, but a good result for the Lib Dems, only 55 behind.
Thank God we have another chance to oust the Tories on May 22nd![/p][/quote]LibDumbs?
Like Cleggy and Mike Hancock ?
Solids are just hitting the fan on that issue.RochfordRob

BarryTanner wrote:
I do hope &quot;Georgina" isn't wearing that wig for medical reasons.

That's quite funny, although a little distasteful.

You should be more concerned with what's under the hair!

The thought - and the mouth! She will be a spokeswoman for the resident's of West Leigh Ward.

[quote][p][bold]Leighdweller[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BarryTanner[/bold] wrote:
I do hope "Georgina" isn't wearing that wig for medical reasons.[/p][/quote]That's quite funny, although a little distasteful.[/p][/quote]You should be more concerned with what's under the hair!
The thought - and the mouth! She will be a spokeswoman for the resident's of West Leigh Ward.rhowes

[quote][p][bold]RochfordRob[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]rhowes[/bold] wrote:
A sad day for the town, but a good result for the Lib Dems, only 55 behind.
Thank God we have another chance to oust the Tories on May 22nd![/p][/quote]LibDumbs?
Like Cleggy and Mike Hancock ?
Solids are just hitting the fan on that issue.[/p][/quote]http://blogs.telegra
ph.co.uk/news/damian
thompson/100256554/t
he-liberal-democrats
-are-a-nasty-party-t
hat-stands-for-nothi
ng-put-it-out-of-its
-misery/
this piece in saturday's telegraph nailed it.profondo asbo

BarryTanner wrote: I do hope &quot;Georgina" isn't wearing that wig for medical reasons.

That's quite funny, although a little distasteful.

You should be more concerned with what's under the hair! The thought - and the mouth! She will be a spokeswoman for the resident's of West Leigh Ward.

Isn't that the reason why she was elected??

[quote][p][bold]rhowes[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Leighdweller[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]BarryTanner[/bold] wrote: I do hope "Georgina" isn't wearing that wig for medical reasons.[/p][/quote]That's quite funny, although a little distasteful.[/p][/quote]You should be more concerned with what's under the hair! The thought - and the mouth! She will be a spokeswoman for the resident's of West Leigh Ward.[/p][/quote]Isn't that the reason why she was elected??RochfordRob

What a pity ! Roll on May maybe we will have better luck then - if people bother to vote ! come on people get out and vote or else you cannot blame anybody except yourself for what happens to the town.

What a pity ! Roll on May maybe we will have better luck then - if people bother to vote ! come on people get out and vote or else you cannot blame anybody except yourself for what happens to the town.jolllyboy